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Understand

Orissa borders on the Bay of Bengal. The eastern part, close to the sea is more prosperous, with a lot of tourist locations and religious places. The western part is a hilly and forested area, generally drought prone. It is a predominantly tribal belt. However, the western part of the state contains enormous volumes of iron ore and other minerals that promises to herald a major industrialisation of the state.

It is a culturally rich state. The Bhubaneswar-Puri-Konark golden triangle is the pride of the state.

Traditionally, Orissa descended from the historical kingdom of Kalinga. The script for the Oriya language derives from the Kalinga script which is one of the descendants of the Brahmi script.

Talk

Oriya is the local language but many people speak/understand some English, Hindi and Bengali, particularly in the tourist centres.

Get in

By train

By plane

There is a airport in the heart of the city of Bhubaneswar with flights operated by all the major public and private airlines. It is well connected to other major destinations like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru (Bangalore).

Get around

By taxi

Taxis or hired cars are available in important cities and towns.

By autorickshaw

Private rickshaws cost less than regular taxis but you will have to squash up with whoever else gets inside.

See

Temples, sea beaches, geographical specialties like Chilka Lake, and wild life. you have time you can visit Shimilipal National Forest which is a paradise for nature lovers.

Do

Breathe fresh air.

Buy

Orissa is well-known for handicrafts. Sambalpuri and Kataki sarees in handspun cotton and silk or tussar, have traditional Hindu and Buddhist designs on them. There is filigree work in silver that you will find in Kataka. You will also find fine tribal work in brass and other metal-wire. Pattachitra is traditional painting on palm-leaf or raw silk.

Eat

Eat the rasagullas from the dhabas or the little snack stores set in freeways, it comes in yellow white and brown color and are very delicious. Taste chena pod, another traditional sweet-meat from Orissa. If you enjoy spicy food and used to Indian cuisine, you can try out the local Oriya cuisin made out of Sea food (like Fish, tiger prawns and crab curry prepared with exotic spices). Its a foodie's paradise.

Drink

Green coconut. Hard drinks are available in most towns.

Sleep

There are several good hotels in Bhubaneswar, such as Trident Hilton, Hotel Mayfair, and Hotel Swosti Plaza. You can also get decent accommodation at the [OTDC] hotels all over the state in tourist locations. In the smaller towns, try and stay in the Forest Bungalows or Inspection Bungalows, mostly run for government officials on tour, but provided to others when vacant.

Stay safe

The area is infested with mosquitoes and so carry mosquito repellent creams, mosquito repellent coils and take the doctor's advice, in advance, about anti-malarial medicines.
Its also not advisable to venture out late in the night in deserted places and sea beaches. Its better to have a local tourist guide with you for company.

The people of Orissa are known for their hospitality. It is largely peaceful( Till date, their has never been any large scale violence on communal grounds), and the society is very tolerant and accepting towards other cultures. However, the State, for reasons historical, economic and political,has remained isolated from the country's mainstream and hence has not been able to take in it's stride the tremendrous progress the Indian people have achieved in all spheres, including those the social sphere. The people, especially in the tribal western belt, remain extremely simple in their way of living, and are mostly unaware of the mannerisms of the urban world.

Contact

There are cyber cafes in most of the important tourist cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri. It would not be difficult to get one. Per hour rate is also as low as Rs. 10/Hour.